Kabuliwala

This is a Hindi language film starring Balraj Sahni based on the poet Rabindranath Tagore's story with the same name.

The family is about a dry fruit seller's friendship and close bond with one of his customer's child. The street seller is from far away Afghanistan and is here in Bharat to make ends meet. But it's been years and he's not seen his daughter left behind. The young child reminds him of her. Tragedy strikes and circumstances put him in jail. How things turn out in the end forms the crux of the film's message.

Of how bonds of love transcend time and blood relations. Of the hardships that people world over go through, forcing them to be away from ones they love in order to make a living. Living a life of longing actually.

This film will stay with you. There is also a very good remake in the Netflix web series recently on Short stories by Rabindranath Tagore.

Balraj Sahni's performance is so realistic that you'd still remember him as the Kabuliwala. And the haunting song "Ae Mere Pyaare Watan" is played in channels even today.

Based on the legendary Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore's famous novel of the same title, 'Kabuliwala' tells the story of Khan, an Afghan who travelled all the way to India (leaving his mother and daughter behind) and a little girl Mini. Khan comes to India with the intention to earn some money in order to pay debts and to save his home in Afghanistan. He's initially homesick until, one day, he meets Mini. At first, Mini is afraid of him (because of the rumours against Afghani Pathans) but at the same time curious. Gradually, her fears wear off. Khan sees her daughter in Mini and brings her presents. The two develop a friendship. But, there is so much standing against them.

The main focus of the story is the unusual relationship between Khan and Mini. It's beautifully portrayed thanks to the writing and the performances. Balraj Sahni as Khan is outstanding. He's loud (without being over the top), energetic and at a same time brings a sweetness and sincerity to Khan's persona. Child actress Sonu is splendid. She acts her part well and is loud too but in a more real way (compared to other kiddy performances) and she doesn't try to be too cute. Sajjan, who plays Mini's father, makes his presence felt while the rest of the cast are alright.

The culture of the Pathans is also nicely portrayed in the scenes between Khan and his house-mates. While some of the songs are very good, a few could have been avoided like Mini's dream sequence (but that song was probably intended for kids).

'Kabuliwala' is a down-to-earth movie about an unusual but tender relationship between a homesick vendor and a little girl.

Ditto the comments in the previous review.

The film was made in commemoration of some anniversary (the precise one escapes me), and is made unlike the usual Bollywood movies. It has a lot of sensitive moments, such before leaving his home, Khan takes a print of his daughter's palms on a piece of paper, and keeps that close to him.

The songs are very moving, and excellently composed by Salil Choudhury. Both "aye mere pyaare watan", and "aaye kahaan se, gangaa, jaaye kahaare" are wonderful pieces with deep philosophical undertones.

I find the last scene particularly touching. This is when Khan gets out the prison, and comes to see Mini one last time, before perhaps returning to his native land. Mini is all grown up, and is about to be married. She doesn't remember him. This hurts Khan tremendously, because he then suddenly realizes that his little girl whom he left back home, most likely has no memory of him. Nothing is said outright, but you can see all this portrayed by Balraj Sahni, without saying a word.

Unfortunately or fortunately I haven't read neither the original/translated timeless classic of Gurudev Rabindranth Tagore, nor seen the early Bengali version of the film prior to watching this Bimal Roy production inspired by tremendous success of Tapan Sinha's Bengali film by the same name, starring Bengali cinema's thespian like Chhabi Biswas . The Bengali film managed to grab National Best Film Award four years prior this one. I spark of though clicks in mind to read the story prior to watch the film but than I decided not to ruin the benefit of poor reader and decided to read it once I finish the film.

The result was a film that was as commercially and critically acclaimed. I leave further analysis, comments comparisons between the films to few Bengali cinephile buddies. But for me director Hemen Gupta and Mr. Balraj Sahni as Kabuliwala (in one of the most moving performance of his career) successfully brought the essence and soulful emotions of Tagore's timeless tale on screen with few changes in original story and adding one or two interpolations to highlight the key relationship. Both of them deserve applause and award. The first person narrative by Mini's father in the story is replaced here with linear and straight narration showing us the homeland and Pathan's tender relationship with his daughter Amina to cater then audience. But what is praiseworthy thing about direction and acting from almost all cast is that it never for single scene becomes unnatural or over sentimental melodrama. Thanks to doyen like Mr. Sahni and that sweet girl who played Mini. The film evokes and makes us felt even smaller details of the story on screen in so moving way.

I said it many times and would love to repeat once again without an iota of change that if I have to chose a single genuine Hindi film actor devoid of any theatricality or camera consciousness, seems so natural and realistic in his act on screen, it's Mr. Balraj Sahni. Though he didn't get more versatile roles, whatever he has done in 'Do Bigha Zameen', 'Garm Hawa' and 'Anuradha' is something unparalleled to Indian cinema Though a few glitches like his messy Pathan make up, stretching two songs towards the climax including Mini's dream sequence and that added unwanted scene of Pathan's saving the girl; the film is deeply moving experience that tugs at audience's hearts making us felt the eternal worth of the visionary's literature.

writing this review only because its sad to see that so few people have rated this and written about it.i watched GARM HAWA of balraj sahni and found him as a phenomenal actor but after watching this movie i rate him on the very top of bollywood,even above likes of Dilip kumar and Amitabh bacchan.cried while watching a movie after a long time.song AE MERE PYARE WATAN is widely acclaimed but alesser known song GANGA is also beautiful.this movie will make you think of the time when inspite af all the cultural and religious differences India was united and carried it beautifully.its sad now we have lost that unity somewhere and instead of love our hearts are now filled with hatred thanks to politics.watch it for its message,beauty,acting,story and music.don't miss this please.